Paul affirms words from the Lord …. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
As Christians, how do our lives testify to the Lord?
How do we respond when we come up against a ‘thorn in the flesh’?
A sermon based on 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 by Joshua Skeat, May 13, 2012.
Paul disregarded pain and discomfort to follow a path of humble service, giving of himself for the glory of God and the spread of the gospel. We are challenged to follow his example; to be the point of difference in the culture in which we live, living a life founded in Christ’s love, in spite of the difficulties and obstacles we may face.
A sermon based on 2 Corinthians 11:16-33 by Joshua Skeat, from May 6, 2012.
Friday 4th May marked the beginning of a new season for Connections, as we joined together with the Burnie Congregation to celebrate the commissioning of Noel Bowditch as the Rector of the Parish of Burnie. It was great to gather as God’s people in worship and prayer as we commissioned Noel as leader among us as God’s people, to serve with us in the ministry and mission of the Church in this area.
On Sunday the 6th of May, Noel and his wife Lynne joined us at Connections for our regular Sunday gathering. During this time we were able to learn a little more about them both, particularly their passions and hopes for our Parish, and it was great to gather around and pray them in together.
Our time together on Sunday was rounded off as we seized the opportunity as a community to join together in a Soup and Sandwich lunch. It was great to see so many stay around, to enjoy much good food, and to share life with one another. Thank you to all who organised this time and provided the food for us to share in.
Noel and Lynne join our Parish after 10 years at the Parish of Sandy Bay and Taroona. They are both excited to be part of a Parish that is expressing its life and ministry in both traditional and fresh, contemporary forms.
In recent years Noel has been Mission Support Officer and Archdeacon for the City South Mission Network and served as Consultant to the Parish of Franklin-Esperance and Bruny Island Special Ministry District. He enjoys reading, good coffee, walking in mountainous areas and a few workouts each week at the gym.
Lynne was born and grew up in the eastern suburbs of Sydney. Prior to moving to Burnie she worked at Elizabeth College in Hobart, where her work in recent years has been focused in the areas of supporting refugee and international students, counselling and managing the retention and attendance programs.
God is good!
This is an exciting time for Connections and for the Parish. Please pray for us as we enter this new season, and pursue the mission that God is calling us to. Pray also for Noel and Lynne as they settle into life on the North West Coast and ministry in the Parish of Burnie and for wisdom as they lead us in this season.
Paul teaches us that we have been promised to Christ as the betrothed to her husband. We have a responsibility to know Jesus and know the gospel in order to build each other up and hold each other accountable that what we say and do is true to the word of God.
A sermon based on 2 Corinthians 11:1-15 by Joshua Skeat, from April 22, 2015.
Due to recording difficulties, the sound quality of this recording is below our normal standard.
Do we measure ourselves by our own standards or by the standards set by God?
We have been called by God. Are we staying true to His call and growing in faith? If we are then we can trust that God will provide.
A sermon based on 2 Corinthians 10 by Joshua Skeat, from April 15, 2012.
Jesus said “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.”
A sermon based on John 10: 11-21 by Joshua Skeat, from April 8, 2012.
Due to recording difficulties the sound quality of this recording is below our usual standard.
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
A sermon based on John 8:12-20 by Joshua Skeat,
from April 1, 2012.
KLT (Kids’ Learning Time) continues to offer activities which cater for primary and pre-school aged children as part of the regular Sunday worship program at Connections. During April we consider the events of the week leading up to Jesus’ death on the cross through to his resurrection.
Apr 1 Luke 19:28-40; 22:39 – 48 The King’s decision
Apr 8 Luke 24: 1-12 Death defeated
Apr 15 Luke 24: 13-35 Walk to Emmaus
Apr 22 Luke 24: 36-49 Flesh and Bones
We will be encouraging the children to consider how they can experience the new life of Jesus in themselves.
Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.”
A sermon based on John 6:25-59 by Joshua Skeat, from March 18, 2012.
As we read of the miracle of Jesus feeding the crowd of five thousand, we see Jesus as our provider. He points us to a generous and loving God, a God of the impossible, whose blessings are dispensed according to the richness of His grace rather than the poverty of our works.
A sermon based on John 6:1-15 by Joshua Skeat, from March 11, 2012.
” .. whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.”
A sermon based on John 5:16-29 by Joshua Skeat, from March 4, 2012.
Jesus asks “Do you want to be made whole?”
A sermon based on John 5:1-15 by Joshua Skeat, from February 19, 2012 .
A sermon based on Romans 8, by Joshua Skeat, February 12, 2012, delivered for Back to Church Sunday at an outdoor service at Anzac Park.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
God has a purpose and a plan which he works for our good, providing an assurance of a hope beyond the suffering we will experience.
The final teaching session in our Summer series based on Ephesians 4.
Grace, in the form of gifting, is given to each of us by God for His purposes. Some have been gifted as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers to equip people for works of service, so that the body of Christ is built up, until we reach unity in faith and understanding of Christ.
Church on Mission starts here, with each one of us. How are we as individuals promoting a Church on Mission by investing our gifts, skills and passions in what is happening here?
Church on Mission 6, by Joshua Skeat, February 5, 2012
Connections has always had a heart and a passion to engage with those outside of the church, particularly those who have previously had connection to a church, but for one reason or another no longer attend. Back to church Sunday is an opportunity specifically designed to engage with this group of people – to invite them “back” to church, to be intentional about being welcoming and open with our faith, and be authentic in who we are as a church community and the mission that we are on. This year we are celebrating Back to Church Sunday on the 12th of February, to coincide with many families preparing to send their children back to school.
In previous Summers, Connections has met outside during the fine weather – often because our regular venue was unavailable. Though it has its own challenges, meeting in the park is a fantastic way to engage in public worship, to proclaim the Kingdom, and to speak life into our community. So for back to church Sunday, 2012, that’s what we are doing – taking church to the park, and inviting our friends, our families, our workmates and our colleagues to join us.
Our gathering is going to run from 10:30 – 11:30, and will finish with a supplied BBQ lunch. Meeting outside you will need a hat and sunscreen, please bring along a chair or blanket to sit on. Most of all, take the opportunity to invite your friends back to church, to share in authentic, Christian community, and declare the wonderful message of hope, love, forgiveness and restoration found in Christ.
Connections – Back to Church Sunday and BBQ
When? Sunday 12th February, 10:30am
Where? Anzac Park, Somerset (near the Surf Club)
What do I bring? Hat, sunscreen, something to sit on, a friend
The fifth teaching session in our Summer series based on James 2.
“As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.”
Faith is evident in the effect that it has on us and the effect we have on others, in response to God, no matter how hard or how costly.
How are we as a people of God responding to Him and reaching out to others?
What is the step of Faith that he is calling us to in this season?
Church on Mission 5 by Joshua Skeat, January 29, 2012
The fourth sermon in our Summer series, looking at Acts 10.
We are called to not only live as children of the light but also to proclaim the good news. It is not up to us to determine who should receive the gospel. Instead we need to allow God to show us how and to whom he is calling us to proclaim his kingdom and his love.
Church on Mission 4 by Joshua Skeat, January 22, 2012
During summer, KLT (Kids’ Learning Time) continues to offer activities which cater for primary and pre-school aged children as part of the regular Sunday worship program at Connections.
Over January we praise the God who reigns over all and recognise that he is a gracious and loving God who provides for all and cares for all.
Jan 1 Psalm 145 God is with us from year to year
Jan 8 2 Kings 18, 19 God protects
Jan 15 2 Kings 20 God restores
Jan 22 2 Kings 21: 1-18 God is forgotten
Jan 29 2 Kings 23: 1-23 God is remembered
We will be encouraging the children to question:
How is the character of God as described in Psalm 145 seen in practice in the way he works in history?
Furthermore:
How will this affect our relationship with God and what do we want to see happen in the lives of others?
The third sermon in our Summer series, looking at Romans 10.
“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
We are both the senders and the sent, called as a community and as individuals on mission.
Are you confronting this call and asking God where He wants you to go?
Church on Mission 3 by Joshua Skeat, January 15, 2012.
The second sermon in our Summer series, looking at Ephesians 5. Specifically, the mission that we are all called to be on as Christ’s disciples:
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.”
When being a disciple makes a difference in you, what doors open up for you to share the light of Christ with others?
Church on Mission 2 by Joshua Skeat, 8th January, 2012
A sermon about Church and our mission as the body of Christ.
Will you be a disciple or just a follower?
Church on Mission 1 by Joshua Skeat, January 1, 2012
Two sermons based on Luke delivered over the Christmas period.
Luke 1 – the songs of Mary and Zechariah
by Jonathan Adamczewski, from December 18, 2011
Luke 2 – Jesus’ birth and the prayer of Simeon
by Joshua Skeat, from December 25, 2011
The second part of this series, comprising four teaching sessions, examining Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians.
2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2 by Joshua Skeat, November 20, 2011
2 Corinthians 6:3-7:1 by Joshua Skeat, November 27, 2011
2 Corinthians 7:2-16 by Joshua Skeat, December 4, 2011
2 Corinthians 8 – 9 by Joshua Skeat, December 11, 2011
(A teaching session focussing on Money)
The first six teaching sessions from a series looking at Jesus as revealed through the gospel of John.
John 1:1-18 by Jonathan Adamczewski, September 25, 2011
John 1:19-51 by Joshua Skeat, October 2, 2011
John 2 by Joshua Skeat, October 9, 2011
John 3:1-21 by Joshua Skeat, October 16, 2011
John 3:22-36 by Joshua Skeat, October 23, 2011
John 4:1-42 by Joshua Skeat, October 30, 2011
Throughout this Summer we are shaping our teaching time around the concept of Church on Mission. We will be specifically focussed on what it means for us to be the church, and how God is calling us as individuals and as a community to be his ambassadors in the world.
Church in this context is bigger than just what happens each Sunday, and it’s not about the building that we are meeting in. The church here is the bride of Christ, the people that he purchased with his own blood. It is US.
And in the end it is what we, both individually, and as a collective unit, are doing every day, that will determine what the mission of Connections looks like.
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” John 20:21
So we will be honestly be asking ourselves the questions:
Are we being sent as he was sent?
How are we faithfully completing the mission that Jesus sent us on?
Throughout the Summer we will be inviting people to share their testimonies – real stories, of real people, following God’s call on their life, and seeing him at work in the lives of people around them. If you have a story to share, please make contact with Joshua.
We will also use this Summer as a launchpad for 2012 and beyond as we determine the opportunities that we can grasp hold of as we continue to proclaim the Kingdom of God in the community of Somerset.
KLT (Kids’ Learning Time) currently offers activities which cater for primary and pre-school aged children as part of the regular Sunday worship program at Connections.
Our current series focuses on God’s power as seen through his prophet Elisha:
Oct 30 — 2 Kings 4:1-7 — Powerful provider
Nov 6 — 2 Kings 4:8-37 — Powerful life-giver
Nov 13 — 2 Kings 5 — Powerful healer
Nov 20 — 2 Kings 6:8-23 — Powerful warrior
We encourage the children in KLT to consider:
God is a powerful God,
and at the same time,
God is loving and cares about the details of our lives and things that matter to us.
The first five teaching sessions from a series examining Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians.
2 Corinthians 1 by Joshua Skeat, August 21, 2011
2 Corinthians 2:1 — 11 by Joshua Skeat, August 28, 2011
2 Corinthians 2:12 — 3:18 by Joshua Skeat, September 4, 2011
2 Corinthians 4:1 — 12 by Joshua Skeat, September 11, 2011
2 Corinthians 4:13 — 18 by Joshua Skeat, September 18, 2011
The final three sermons from the “Kings & Prophets — Between the Exiles” series.
Jeremiah Chapter 29 by Joshua Skeat, July 31, 2011
Lamentations by Joshua Skeat, August 7, 2011
Exilic Psalms by David Owens, August 14, 2011
Will Briggs’ final sermon as Connections Minister was on the topic of worship, starting from some consideration of the Westminster Shorter Catechism.
Worship by Will Briggs, July 24, 2011
A sermon looking at the entire Bible, particularly looking at two of the 39 Articles of Religion:
VI. Of the Sufficiency of the holy Scriptures for salvation.
VII. Of the Old Testament.
Article VI & VII by Joshua Skeat, July 17, 2011
Connections Anglican Church in Somerset, on the North West Coast of Tasmania. Part of the Anglican Parish of Burnie.
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